People protesting against prolonged and unscheduled power outages here on Friday turned violent and torched the office of SDO Wapda Pirwadhai circle, besides blocking roads by setting tires on fire and uprooting hoarding and signboards. The protestors chanted slogans against the government, blocked roads by setting tires and woods on fire, and pelted police personnel with stones and bricks.
They also uprooted signboards, tore banners of different political parties and damaged shops and vehicles. Police resorted to tear-gas shelling and baton charged to disperse the protesters. A large number of protestors gathered at Dhoke Mangtal Intersection on IJ Principal Road and burnt tires and blocked the road for vehicular movement.
Later, a mob attacked Islamabad Electricity Supply Company Limited (IESCO) Office of SDO (E) Pirwadhai Sub Division Rawalpindi. The protestors ransacked the office and thrown all the record out and then torched the office. Meanwhile, a heavy contingent of Islamabad Police rushed to the scene, but avoided entering in the territory of Rawalpindi Police. After a while, Rawalpindi police headed by SP Rawal Town Chaudhry Hanif Ahmed reached the spot. Fire-fighters of Rescue 1122 were also called who extinguished the fire after hectic efforts.